School Garden Resources

Getting Started with a School Garden

Below you will find links to some wonderful resources & tips on how to start a garden at your school.

Getting Started:  A Guide for Creating School Gardens as Outdoor Classrooms (Center for Ecoliteracy)

School Garden Resources (Lifelab)

Getting Started, SGN Resources (School Garden Network, Sonoma County)

School Garden Food Safety Manual (Mass. Farm to School & MDAR)

School Garden Webinar Recordings

Mass. Farm to Schools School Garden Webinar Series

School Garden Support Organization Webinar Archive

School Garden Activities

Here are a few ideas for seed and seedling study in the garden.

• Seed Saving and Seed Study: A resource for educators
• Plant Salad Greens, a plant that’s ready to eat when it’s still a seedling!
• Transplanting and Direct Seeding Tips (Kids Gardening)

Check out this great guide,  Summer in the School Garden, for how to care for your school garden over the summer months.

If you’re looking to bring school garden produce into your cafeteria, there are great tips on how to ensure safe harvest and safe preparation. View these best practices or this tip sheet from USDA.

Curriculum Connections

Slow Food USA’s National School Garden Program Curriculum

City Sprout’s Garden-Based Learning Lessons